The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride (34 page)

“Cancer.” She told him about her dad and how’d he left and remarried, and how she’d told him off at the wedding.

Stanhill scowled. “Sounds like the right bastard deserved it. Good for you.”

“It wasn’t my finest hour, but he did sort of deserve it. He really let us down.” She poked at the cake with her fork. “Did you have family that you had to leave behind when Hugh made you a rook?”

“My family was all in service at different households. My mum and dad were taken by the plague. My older sister was in France. She was a ladies’ maid and traveling with the family she served.” He stared at his plate. “I saw her once after I was turned. Tried to explain what happened, but she didn’t want anything to do with me.”

He smiled weakly. “That was centuries ago. Water under the bridge, as it were.”

“Is it hard?”

“What’s that, love?”

“Outliving your friends?”

He nodded, then stopped. “It was at first. But since we’ve been here, not so much. That’s why there are so many supernatural folk here. Like kind and all that. Most of ’em tend to have much longer lifespans than your average human. Makes things easier.”

“That’s good.”

“It is.”

She pushed her plate away. “I’m going out to the garden. Enjoy the last bit of sun while I can. Do you have any idea where Captain is? I thought I might take him out there with me.”

“Last I saw he was headed into the living room. I put his new cat bed in there.”

She stared at Stanhill. “You bought him a cat bed?”

“Three, actually. There’s one in the library and one in Hugh’s sitting room.”

She laughed. “I’m glad you like him so much. Makes me feel good.”

“He’s a sweet creature.”

With a smile, she wandered into the living room and found Captain curled up in his new bed, which looked to be burgundy velvet with gold trim. “Fit for a prince,” she muttered.

She scooped him up and sniffed his toasty head, all warm from sleep. “Let’s go get some fresh air, Cappy.”

Sunlight and gentle breezes spilled through the garden. Flowers were in fragrant bloom, and the soft buzz of insects sounded like a chorus. To her amped-up senses, it was a wonderland. She put Captain down to roam. He immediately began stalking something in the tall, feathery grasses that bordered a small pond in the back.

She sat on the steps that led down to a serpentine section of pavers. Her last glimpse of the sun. Sure, she’d see it through the windows as long as she was safely tucked in the shadows, but this was the last time she’d feel it on her face. The last time she’d sit beneath its rays and soak up its warmth.

A price to pay, but not such a large one that it changed her mind. Life with Hugh offered so much more.

Orange and coral streaked the sky, and little by little the light disappeared. Captain had settled into a patch of flowers, wide awake as he watched a bug crawl through the dirt. The door opened behind her.

She didn’t have to look to know it was Hugh. She turned and smiled. “I knew it was you without even looking. I realize the odds were low that it was anyone else, but it was like…I could sense you.”

He nodded. “It’s the bond between us forming. It will strengthen even more tomorrow.”

“That’s pretty cool.”

He sat beside her, closed his eyes and inhaled. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

“How was your day as a rook?”

“Sadly, I slept most of it. Then I spent the rest of it eating.”

He laughed. “Sounds about right.” He dug into his pocket, pulled out a little blue velvet box and held it out to her. “I have something for you.”

She took it. “What is it?”

“You’d already know if you’d opened it.” He kissed her temple. “It’s the magic I promised you.”

She snapped the lid back and gasped. “Oh, it’s magic all right. Oh my.”

“Does that mean you like it?”

“It’s stunning. And outrageous in the best possible way. This can’t be my…is this my engagement ring?”

He nodded, took the ring from the box and shifted to face her, putting one knee on the ground. “Delaney James, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

She clapped a hand over her mouth. This was so real she couldn’t breathe. Tears filled her eyes, blurring the diamonds and sapphires into one big glittering mass. “Yes,” she managed. “Yes.”

“Don’t cry, sweetheart.” He slipped the ring on her finger.

“You crazy, ridiculous man. It’s so big and sparkly, and that diamond is enormous. Enormous. It’s too much. No, it’s not. Actually, it’s perfect, but I feel a little guilty liking a ring that’s this over-the-top so much. It must have cost a freaking fortune. I love it. I love
you
. Thank you. Holy rock candy, it’s enormous.”

“I love the way you ramble when you’re nervous.” He laughed as she stared at her hand. “I’m very happy you like it.”

“Who wouldn’t like this? You weren’t kidding about spoiling me.”

“And it’s only the beginning.” He sat beside her. “The ring was made by a fae jeweler and has been imbued with all sorts of protection spells.”

She looked at the ring with fresh eyes. It didn’t feel like it had any magic in it, but maybe she was still too human to tell. “So this is going to get me through the transition?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

He sounded confident. Mostly. She lifted her chin, wanting to give him some of her own certainty. Because she believed. How could the universe not want them to be together? They were perfect for each other. “Well, then. I’m ready when you are.”

Hugh had vowed never to attempt the turning again, and yet here he was, about to do just that. Delaney lay on his bed, her smile eager. Her ring sparkling with the magic Willa had crafted into it.

Enough magic that he’d felt it when he’d first touched the ring. That alone should have quelled the last of his reservations, but it wasn’t until he saw the look of determination on Delaney’s face that he finally stopped questioning whether or not they should continue.

“Everything okay?”

He nodded. “I was just thinking.”

“You’re going to give me the speech about how I can still back out of this, aren’t you? Because while being a rook is pretty cool, I want to be your equal.” She winked at him. “Also, your baby mama, but that’s for later.”

“You are a strange and wonderful creature, Delaney.” He took her hand. “I wasn’t going to try to talk you out of the final step.”

“Then what was the serious look on your face about?”

“I was thinking that I have no more reservations. It’s clear now that Juliette’s body betrayed her. Her inability to survive the change had nothing to do with me. You’ve taken to it exceedingly well. On her second day, Juliette was pale and weak and barely rose from her bed. You, however, have a glow about you. The change has somehow made you even more beautiful.”

Delaney smiled shyly. “I was pretty surprised by that myself.”

“My only concern is how many men I’m going to have to scare off once your turning is complete.”

She laughed. “Now you’re just being silly.”

“Trust me.” He kissed her knuckles. “And now, with the added protection of the magic in the ring, my fear is gone.”

She pulled him down to her. “Then do it. Bite me and let’s get this new life started.”

His fangs pierced his gums, his desire for that new life just as strong. “As you wish.”

In minutes, he’d completed the final step, and as the wounds on his wrist healed, he kissed her lips. “Sleep well, my love.”

She smiled, her lids heavy already with the drowsiness brought on by the turning. “See you on the other side, baby.”

Baby
. She’d never called him that before. No one had, that he could recall. The word was sweet and silly and caused a fierce surge of protectiveness to rise up in him.

He stayed at her side as she drifted off. Watched as the color drained from her and she went ashen. As startling as that was, he knew it was part of the process. Both his brothers and Juliette had done the same.

In four or five hours, the turning would be complete. He pulled a chair near the bed and settled in, his only desire now to be at her side and be the first face she saw upon waking in her new life.

At the second hour, Stanhill stuck his head in. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Brandy? Blood?”

“Brandy. I fed at Sebastian’s.”

Stanhill returned with the drink. He refilled it on the third hour. Hugh drank, reveling in the thoughts of the things he would show Delaney, how he would spoil her with experiences and find new joy in life through her eyes.

At the fourth hour, Hugh’s anticipation lived on his skin. The tiniest sound brought him to full alert. He searched her face and body for signs of life, but she still lay like the dead. No pulse. No breath. All part of the turning. He knew that. But knowing didn’t help.

Captain sauntered in and sat by Hugh’s chair. Hugh scratched the animal’s head until he left again.

Hour five came and went, bringing nothing but a return of the fear Hugh thought behind him. He paced the room. Stopped twice to check that her ring hadn’t somehow slipped off.

Finally, he sat beside her and clutched her hand. Her cold, lifeless hand.

Stanhill hovered at the door. “Every turning is different.”

Hugh said nothing. This turning seemed very much like the last one he’d been a part of.

Hour six dawned, and the sun’s imminent rise announced itself with the delicate irritation of his skin. It was nothing compared to the ache in his soul. He couldn’t bring himself to think the truth of what had happened, to give place to the reality that his beloved was gone, but it shadowed his thoughts, lingering like a specter at the edge of his mind.

Another half an hour, and there was no way to deny what had happened.

Again.

He went numb with pain as his reason to live slipped away.

Finally, at hour seven, he stood.

Stanhill was at his side. How long the rook had been there, Hugh had no idea. “She’ll come around, you’ll see.”

Hugh had no words. No hope. No desire to endure this pain again. He bent and kissed his sweet Delaney one last time. “Goodbye, my angel. I am so sorry.”

Then he turned and walked downstairs, vaguely aware of Stanhill’s footsteps behind him, but the man didn’t speak until Hugh reached the French doors.

“What do you mean to do, your lordship?”

Hugh stopped, his hand on the lever handle. “She’s gone.”

“I know.” Stanhill’s voice broke. “I am so very sorry.”

“So am I.” He turned the lever and stepped outside.

The sun had not yet broken the tree line, but when it did, the end would be painful but quick. He closed his eyes and pictured Delaney so that he could meet his end with her as his last thought.

Stanhill gasped.

A hand grabbed Hugh’s arm and pulled him toward the house.

He spun, grief and anger driving him. “Stanhill, do not—”

“Hugh.” Delaney stood before him, eyes luminous with fear. “What are you doing?”

He gaped at her for one long moment. “I thought you were…” He swept her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. “My darling.” He almost choked on the words. “So much time went by, and I thought you hadn’t survived.”

She pulled away, holding his face in her hands. “Well, I did.”

He kissed her, but she pushed at him. “Hugh!”

“What?”

“The sun?”

Stanhill yanked them back inside as the first rays hit the deck. “Is it possible for a rook to die of a heart attack? Because the two of you are going to be the death of me, I bleedin’ swear.”

He shut the door and glared at them.

“Nice to see you too, Stanhill,” Delaney said.

He smiled. “Very happy to see you, miss. Can I get you anything?”

“How about that other steak?”

“You’re going to need more than steak, but I’ll let Hugh handle that while I fix you your second meal.” He headed for the kitchen. Captain jumped off the living room sofa and followed him.